Jeff and I received news today that a friend of ours passed away this morning. She had been ill for many years, so we weren't surprised by the news, but still saddened. This was a wonderful lady, who I wish everyone would have had the privilege to meet. She loved life. She loved people. And most importantly, she loved the Lord. I never once heard her utter a word of complaint, though certainly with her medical problems she was entitled to that as much or more than anyone. I did hear her laugh. A lot. She was a beautiful person and she appreciated beautiful things. And she was very sensitive to the Lord. She once told me that as she was praying one morning, she very distinctly heard the Lord speak to her and tell her to change the light bulb in her closet. She said she kind of laughed to herself and wondered why this could possibly matter to the Lord, but she went and got a step stool in order to take care of this business as soon as possible. When she reached for the globe of the light fixture, she realized it was full of water. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the cause of the light being out wasn't a burned out bulb, but a water leak that, if left unchecked, could have flooded that entire floor of their house. Her sensitivity and obedience to the Lord saved she and her family a ton of heartache. And this was just one occasion. She understood well that the Lord cares about the details of our lives. So, I do not grieve for her, because I know she is now with the Lord, with a brand-new, illness-free body. But I do grieve for her family, because human attachments are so very hard to sever. Unfortunately, we haven't had an opportunity to see this friend in some years, but the memories we have of her are all beautiful, wonderful memories, and we are thankful for the opportunity we had to know her. And, frankly, I am challenged, as I write these words, to live a life like this. A life full of love. Full of joy. Full of peace. Full of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.